My Vampire and I (14 page)

And I did.

 

We lay on my bed, our arms and legs still intertwined, my head on his chest, when I remembered why he'd gone out in the first place. Wow. All that had happened subsequently had made me totally forget about Kurt.

"You didn't tell me what happened with Kurt," I said, propping myself up on my elbow. "Did you find him?"
"Oh yes, I found him all right. He won't be troubling us again."
What did that mean? "Uh ... what did you do ... to him, exactly?"
He looked up at me, his expression grave and solemn. "Do you really want to know?"
I swallowed, hard. "You didn't ... kill him, did you?"
"Worse than that, I'm afraid."
132
My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie
What the hell could be worse than being killed? "Worse?" I asked, my voice decidedly shaky.
He chuckled and pulled me down on top of him, tickling my sides until I screamed for mercy.

"I was teasing you, Roger," he laughed. "Of course, I didn't harm him. Even someone as nasty as Kurt deserves a second chance. Let us just say he has seen the error of his ways and will, from now on, be the perfect young gentleman."

"How on earth could you do that?"
He raised an eyebrow and gave me a reproving look. "You doubt that I could?"
"No, no. I don't doubt you can do most anything you want," I said quickly, making him smile. "Hypnosis, right?"
"Right. I also implanted in his mind, an aversion to anything vampiric. From now on, he will have no interest in me, whatsoever." "Poor Kurt," I snickered. "So, d'Arcy hadn't really gotten to him?"

"The Comte knew of my affiliation with Kurt. He had courted him but in the process discovered there was someone else very close to you. Kurt admitted to me that he had led your friend Mark to d'Arcy. It seems d'Arcy felt Mark had a much better opportunity of reaching you than Kurt ever would."

"He was right about that, I guess." Mark! "Oh, Jeez," I said, jumping off the bed and dragging on my shorts. "Mark's been in the next room all the time we've been ... you know ...

He probably heard everything we've been doing."
133
My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie
"I told you he will remember none of this. He is still asleep."
"How do you know?"
He rolled his eyes then fell back on the bed with a heavy sigh "How do I
know
?"
"Sorry," I muttered. "I'll just check in on him, though."

He was right, of course. Mark was sleeping like a baby and looking a lot better than he had earlier. With a grateful sigh, I retraced my steps to the bedroom. The bed was empty.

"Marcus?"
I'll be back.
As clear as a bell, those words resounded in my head, complete with our governor Arnold's heavy accent.
No doubt about it. My vampire had a sense of humour.
[Back to Table of Contents]
134
My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie

Chapter Eleven
He didn't come back that night, and of course, I fretted and worried, then ended up pissed off that he'd gone in the first place.
Where
had he gone and why? Oh, I knew he could take care of himself, but the odds of two against one worried me nevertheless.

"Damn," I muttered, aloud, pacing about the living room, knowing I couldn't leave the apartment with Mark still asleep on the couch. I couldn't leave him alone, and besides, where would I go? I hadn't a clue as to where to start looking. All I could do was hope that he was staying well clear of those other two.

Around eleven, I figured I was spending the night alone—

apart from Mark. He had tossed off the coverlet I had spread over him earlier and was muttering something unintelligible in his sleep. I hoped he wasn't having the same kind of nightmares I'd had the previous night. I worried what this experience might do to his psyche. Marcus had said he'd remember nothing, but I wondered about that. Sometimes, memories can lie repressed in the human mind for ages until some catalyst brings them back. Maybe he wouldn't remember anything when he woke up but as time went by...

Trying to put those pesky thoughts from my mind, I went to bed and lay there, worrying about my vampire lover and filled with nagging doubts about our future together. When I was with him, I didn't have these doubts. His mere presence filled me with so much love and confidence in the outcome of 135

My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie

our relationship there was no room in my overawed brain for doubts. I was nuts about him, plain and simple. Anything he wanted from me, he would get without reservation. I only hoped I was enough.

Roger!
Oops, that did it.
The voice in my head sounded just a tad pissed. I really should know better by this time.
Sorry, Marcus.
You should be. Haven't I told you, over and over, what you mean to me?
Where are you
? I asked, hoping to change the subject.
Besides, I really wanted to know.
Go to sleep. That's where I'll be.
Marcus, howcan we do this now? I mean, my being able to hear your voice in my head. Is it because I drank your blood
?
So many questions, Roger. You will knowthe answers soon enough. Now, go to sleep and dream of me.

And I did. It was a perfect dream. No monsters clamouring at my door for entry. Just Marcus and I alone in his magnificent home, rolling about on silken sheets, making love for the longest and most exquisite time, revelling in the feel and taste of one another.
Never wake me from this dream,
I thought as I lay stretched out wantonly beneath his hard muscled body while his soft lips traced a magical path over my torso, inflaming me with white-hot desire.

I reached up, cupping his face in my hands, pulling him closer so I could feel those soft, full lips on mine. Their touch 136 My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie
made me writhe sensually beneath him. I wrapped my legs around his slim hips, and as I pulled him inside me, we floated away on a silken coverlet. There are dreams and then there are dreams like this one.

This one I wanted to take with me every night I was without him. Somehow, he must have entered my mind to make this so perfect. It was almost as good as having him there in person. Almost.

 

All wonderful dreams must end, of course, no matter how hard we try to cling to them, willing them back into our senses to no avail. The alarm clock, that most shitty of all of man's inventions, buzzed loudly in my ear, reminding me that another day at the bank had arrived. "Crap," I muttered grumpily. I rolled out of bed, pulled on a pair of sweatpants and staggered into the living room. Mark was in the kitchen, making coffee, and looking as bad as Marcus had said he'd feel.

He glared at me. "What the hell did we do last night?" he demanded, hands on hips, his voice thick and sluggish.
"
I
didn't do anything," I said primly, playing Marcus's game. "
You
showed up here drunk as a skunk and just as smelly." "How rude!" He checked under his armpits. "Spring-like,"
he said with some satisfaction. "So, you weren't with me?"
"Uh uh."
"Damn. I don't remember a thing."
"I'm not surprised. I haven't seen you like that. Ever," I said with total conviction. "Coffee ready?"
137
My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie

"Mmm ... Well, I feel like shit in case you wondered." He paused, then looked at me in a panic. "Was your new boyfriend here? Did he see me like ... that?"

I nodded. "He was shocked," I said, with a straight face.
"Said he couldn't associate with me if I cultivated friends like that."
Mark grunted. "He talks that prissy way? You're better off without him..."

"Excuse me," I said, affronted. "He is extremely well educated." I swept past him and poured myself a cup of coffee. "Besides, I was kidding. He felt really bad for you."

 

"So where is he?"

 

"I'm right here." And there he was, strolling out of the bedroom, hair suitably tousled, wearing my only other pair of sweatpants slung low on his hips and looking earth shatteringly gorgeous. "Hello, Mark. Nice to see you on your feet again."

 

Mark gaped, literally, his mouth hanging open, hand reaching for the countertop to steady himself. His eyes drank in every inch of Marcus's fabulous physique, lingering for just a tad too long on the tantalising bulge, displayed to wondrous effect by the thin cotton fleece. "I think I'm going to swoon," he said. "Either that or die from an overdose of jealousy." He quivered, really quivered, as Marcus took his hand and shook it solemnly.

I, meanwhile, grinned with happiness. My man was back.
"Did you doubt it, even for a moment?" Marcus asked, kissing my cheek.
"No. I'm just happy to see you."
138
My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie
"I can tell," he murmured, his hand surreptitiously brushing my crotch out of Mark's sight.
"Well," Mark said, loudly. "I'd better hit the road. Work and all that, y'know."
"D'you feel up to it?" I asked.

"Of course," he replied airily. "Takes more than a few Bloody Marys to stop me appearing before my public." Mark worked in a shoe store. He paused, a puzzled look on his face. "Why'd I say that? I hate Bloody Marys."

 

"Maybe you switched last night," I suggested.

 

He shook his head, as if trying to remember. "Hmm, well, gotta go. Lovely meeting you, Marcus. You're everything Roger said you were. And a good deal more," he added under his breath but loud enough for us both to hear.

 

I saw him to the door and hugged him tight. "I'm glad you're feeling better," I said, holding him close.

 

He hugged me back. "Thanks for looking after me. I promise I won't do anything like that again." He kissed me gently. "You're a lucky boy. He's terrific."

"I know. Bye, Mark. Please be careful today." We waved our goodbyes, then I ran back into the living room and jumped into my lover's arms. "Oh, it's so good to see you," I cried, burying my face in his neck. "I was so worried. Where were you?"

Where was I, indeed? Thousands of miles from where I truly wanted to be—lying next to you, sweet Roger, holding you in my arms and making love to you all through the night.

Instead, I went to face the two who threaten our happiness.
The Comte d'Arcy was surprised to see me for I had blocked
139
My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie
all knowledge of my imminent arrival from his mind. Of course, I did not have to defend myself against Gregory, his mind being dull and slow.

I think d'Arcy was quite shaken at my sudden appearance in the garden of his villa. I could not enter—he had long ago revoked any invitation— but he met me outside, standing well away from me on the steps of the portico. He knows the strength of my powers and is not willing to challenge me without a great deal of preparation. The Comte is cunning, however, and I would be foolish to ever underestimate him.

"
You placed the lives of two young men in jeopardy tonight," I told him. "I should warn you that I find your actions unacceptable. Your quarrel is with me and no one else. You will leave Roger and his friends alone."

 

"
Or what?" d'Arcy sneered.

 

"
The mere fact that you keep your distance from me is your own answer," I replied. "You knowmy powers are greater than yours, and I will not hesitate to use them should you persist on meddling in my life."

"
Well, now..." d'Arcy seemed to consider what I had said for a moment. "Perhaps we can come to some understanding."
"
That is why I am here."
Marcus held me for a long time, saying nothing. When he released me, I could tell by the look on his face that he'd been somewhere unpleasant.

"I went to visit my old friends in their lair, last night." He stroked my cheek gently as he spoke. "To see if I could talk some reason into their twisted minds. I reminded them what 140

My Vampire and I
by J. P. Bowie
they had vowed so many years ago could now be undone.

What difference did it make to them with whom I spent eternity? Would my happiness really cause them so much pain? Why this need for senseless revenge, when in fact, all that had befallen them was of their own doing?

 

"Gregory, of course, in his mindless way, would hear nothing of it, but d'Arcy seemed inclined to consider withdrawing his vow to destroy me, if I met with certain conditions."

I didn't like the sound of that, at all.
"What conditions?" I asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"First, that I would give up all my earthly possessions and hand everything over to them for their use. My villas, town homes and estates that are scattered around the world.

Secondly, that I would pay obeisance to them in all things.
And thirdly, that I would give you to them. And so I agreed—"
"What?" I yelped, my eyes searching his face for a sign that he was joking again.

"To the first two conditions only," he continued. "The third, I told them, was an impossible demand. After all, you are not mine to give. I reminded them that this is not the age of slavery anymore—and that Roger Folsom has a mind and a will of his own. Indeed, I told them, sometimes I am hard pressed to control him for my own designs." His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and his mouth twitched with suppressed laughter. "Naturally, they were not amused by my answer.

They told me they would have all or nothing, and if it were nothing, only my death would then appease them."
141
My Vampire and I
"Marcus," I whispered, shuddering despite his nonchalance. "What can we do?"
"What
I
can do is make sure they cannot carry out their threats. Don't worry, Roger." He pulled me into his arms.

"They are not as powerful as they think they are. I have lived longer than either of them. My powers are strong and very much more disciplined. Sometimes, I am amazed Gregory has survived this length of time. He is incredibly stupid."

 

"What about d'Arcy's new boyfriend?" I asked. "Can't he mellow the old guy?"

 

Marcus shook his head. "Another vampire spirited him away, this time before d'Arcy could invoke any kind of curse upon him. This has, as you can imagine, made him all the more bitter."

 

What a loser,